Using a Capo

Skill Building Guitar Course from Justin Roth

Justin Roth, acclaimed indie songwriter and guitarist, delves deep into the world of the capo. He explains not only how a standard capo can be used, but also partial and drop tuning capos.

6 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

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Full Course Breakdown

Justin Roth, acclaimed indie songwriter and guitarist, delves deep into the world of the capo. He explains not only how a standard capo can be used, but also partial and drop tuning capos.

1

Introduction and Basic Tips

In this lesson Justin introduces his series on playing with a capo and dishes out some basic tips, including how to properly to place the capo.

3:52 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson
2

Using a Capo to Change Positions

In this lesson, Justin talks about how you can use a capo to play up and down the neck / change positions, and explains why you would want to do so.

28:13 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

3

The Drop D Capo

Justin introduces the Drop D capo, which only covers 5 strings, and talks about its common uses. He also covers transposition using this capo.

34:05 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

4

Partial Capos: Transposing

Justin Roth looks at transposing chords with a short cut capo. This particular capo is meant to cover only 3 of the 6 strings, the A, D and G, while leaving the rest to ring open.

31:07 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

5

Partial Capos: Different Keys

Justin Roth continues exploring the partial capo. This time, he explains how you can use the low bass note on different chords to find different keys to play out of.

21:06 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

6

Partial Capos: Bass Note

Justin Roth demonstrates what you can do if you want to play with partial capos but don't want to change the shapes or key that you are playing in.

10:36 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

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  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Playing since 1981
  • 34 lessons at JamPlay
Justin Roth is a nationally touring singer/songwriter and fingerstyle acoustic guitarist who combines an artful blend of hooks laid on a bed of brilliantly inventive guitar technique, bridging contemporary and indie/alt folk. He has toured with John Gorka and opened for some of the finest singer/songwriters, including Shawn Colvin, Martin Sexton, Darrell Scott, and David Wilcox. His guitar playing has earned him shared stages with some of the greatest fingerstyle players of today, such as Tommy Emmanuel, Andy McKee, Billy McLaughlin, California Guitar Trio and Pat Donohue. Roth’s fan-funded fourth solo album, Now You Know, which he recorded, produced, played and sang every single note himself in his home studio, was recently voted as one of the Top 100 Folk Albums of 2011 by Roots Music Report.

Reviews & Feedback 100/100 with 15 ratings
wkorpacz

Wow! Been playing and using a capo for years and didn't know that! Thank you!